Future Focus 2025

Future Focus- Digital. Sustainable. Accessible

Future Focus brings together the local VCSE sector to engage in a range of workshops on key topics affecting the sector, share ideas and innovation, be inspired by stories and network with one another.

This year Future Focus is an opportunity to become ‘Digital, Sustainable and Accessible”. It is an occasion to hear inspiring stories, engage in thought provoking conversations and celebrate all the great work that the VCSE achieves in Leicester and Leicestershire.

The conference opens at 9:30am for registration and refreshments and officially begins at 10:00am with an opening address by VAL CEO Kevin Allen-Khimani. Our Keynote Speaker this year is Andy Pierce from the Pierce Perspective, a pioneering charity that blends mental health advocacy, nature-based therapies, and community engagement to make a tangible difference.

We will also be conducting an interactive “State of the Sector” session in the afternoon. This will be a chance to share your challenges, needs, and hopes for the future as well as engaging in meaningful discussion on what needs to happen to achieve them.

Lunch will take place at 12:45pm and the conference closes at 4:00pm.

Delegates will have the choice of one morning workshop and one afternoon workshop. There are limited places available in each of these and due to the room restrictions at Devonshire Place, we are unable to offer more places once they have been fully booked.

Workshops during the day include:

Morning workshops

AM 1. Making your Organisation More Accessible- Ali Sinclair, ALL In

AM 2 Local Government Reorganisation- TBC

AM 3 Leveraging AI in Fundraising- Damien Reynolds BEM, Mindera Foundation

AM 3 Filling VOIDS with Charities- Angus Harley, VOIDS

Afternoon Workshops

PM1 Making your Organisation More Accessible- Ali Sinclair, ALL In

PM 2 Leveraging the Digital Space to Create Bigger Impact - Aman Dhesi - Social Media Expert

PM 3 Digital In Volunteering initiative- Gethyn Williams, National Volunteering Specialist

PM 4 Environmental Sustainability and You- Alice Jackson, Greener Futures

A full break down of the workshops is available here

VAL's Annual General Meeting

VAL Members have the opportunity to book attendance for the AGM, which will be taking place during Future Focus.

Booking

Places are prioritised to VCSE groups based in Leicestershire County and those who support county beneficiaries. We have a limited number of tickets available for Leicester City groups who deliver health and wellbeing activities. The commercial sector and those who fall outside of these areas will be charged £25 and we reserve the right to decline your booking.

Lunch and Refreshments are provided throughout the day for all delegates.

Event Location

Future Focus is being held at Devonshire Place, London Road, LE2 0AR.

Please note there is limited parking at the venue, and any cars parked at the venue may be blocked in to make from for others to park. If you plan to leave part way through the conference it is advised to park at an alternative location, such as Victoria Park.

Alternatively the venue is very accessible via public transport and is on multiple bus links, close to the train station and is in walking distance from Leicester City Centre

Contact Us

If you have any issues or questions around booking, please contact the team on: Anna.b@valonline.org.uk 0116 2575050